Pickets pop up at Raleys

Supermarket workers at Raleys called a strike on Sunday, and picket lines formed among the 128 stores in the chain — including West Sacramento’s on West Capitol Avenue.

It is the first strike in the company’s 77-year history. The company is based in West Sacramento, with a headquarters on West Capitol near the Tower Bridge. The chain includes Bel Air and Nob Hill stores.

Issues include a pay freeze and benefits. The company says it needs to cut costs in the face of competition from non-union grocers including Walmart, but union leaders say the chain is showing bad faith by refusing to allow its finances to be audited.